Hamadeh Calls For A Pause On FDA Enforcement Of Thyroid Treatments

Hamadeh Calls For A Pause On FDA Enforcement Of Thyroid Treatments

by | Nov 10, 2025 | News

By Ethan Faverino |

Congressman Abe Hamadeh urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Dr. Martin Makary, to immediately withdraw or indefinitely suspend enforcement actions against desiccated thyroid medications.

This follows explosive allegations of misconduct by former Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Director George Tidmarsh.

Dr. Tidmarsh resigned on November 2, 2025, amid a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) investigation into claims that he abused his regulatory authority to target desiccated thyroid drugs—medications safely used by 1.5 million Americans for decades—in an effort to harm business rival, Kevin Tang.

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals filed a lawsuit the same day, alleging Tidmarsh used official FDA resources to “target multiple companies” linked with Tang, including a company where Tang serves as board chairman, American Laboratories, a key supplier of active ingredients for desiccated thyroid drugs.

The timeline raises serious concerns as Tidmarsh assumed leadership of CDER in July 2025, just one month before the FDA issued enforcement warnings against these very medications.

Reports indicate Tidmarsh was placed on administrative leave on November 1st, before resigning the following day.

In Congressman Hamadeh’s first letter, he raised alarms about the FDA’s actions, warning that restrictions could disrupt care for thousands of veterans and seniors in Arizona’s 8th District who rely on these treatments. Although Hamadeh’s office followed up many times, the FDA provided a very generic response to their inquiries.

Now, in a November 4th letter to Commissioner Makary, Congressman Hamadeh demanded immediate action, including:

  • Suspension of all enforcement actions against desiccated thyroid drugs initiated on or after July 2025.
  • A transparent public and congressional accounting of all regulatory decisions involving thyroid medications, including communications, conflicts of interest, and internal concerns about Dr. Tidmarsh.
  • 180-day advance notice to Congress before any future enforcement, with scientific justification and patient impact assessments.
  • Guaranteed uninterrupted access for the 1.5 million patients dependent on these medications.
  • Substantive responses to his original August inquiries.

“It was clear to me, based on the feedback that I have received from countless constituents, that the FDA’s action against these medications was likely not science-based,” said Congressman Hamadeh. “Given our government’s reaction to COVID-19, it is not hard to imagine that bad actors in our government have personal agendas and no regard for science or our citizens.”

“The FDA’s primary mission should be ensuring drug safety and efficacy, not unnecessarily restricting access to medications with established track records of safety and effectiveness,” concluded Congressman Hamadeh. “The American people expect that FDA regulatory actions be grounded in science and patient safety, not personal scores or abuse of authority.”

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

Hamadeh Calls For A Pause On FDA Enforcement Of Thyroid Treatments

Hamadeh Demands Answers From FDA On Potential Thyroid Medication Restrictions

by | Aug 22, 2025 | News

By Ethan Faverino |

On August 6, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent letters to manufacturers, importers, and distributors of unapproved animal-derived thyroid medications, notifying them of the agency’s intent to take enforcement action due to concerns over safety, potency, and dosing consistency.

These medications, derived from dried animals’ thyroid glands, are used by an estimated 1.5 million patients in the U.S. but are not FDA-approved, unlike synthetic alternatives like levothyroxine, which serve approximately 22 million patients.

The agency has allowed a 12-month transition period for patients to switch to FDA-approved medications.

Earlier this week, Congressman Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) issued a formal inquiry to Dr. Martin Makary, Commissioner of the FDA, seeking clarity on recent agency actions that could restrict access to desiccated thyroid medications such as Armour Thyroid, NP Thyroid, Nature-Thyroid, and Natural Thyroid, which are critical for many patients managing hypothyroidism.

In his letter to Dr. Makary, Congressman Hamadeh emphasized the concerns of his constituents, particularly the veterans and seniors in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, who rely on desiccated thyroid medications for effective treatment.

“Many of these patients have found desiccated thyroid medications to be more effective than synthetic alternatives for managing their thyroid conditions,” said Hamadeh. “Any disruption to their treatment regimens could have serious health consequences and undermine the doctor-patient relationship.”

Congressman Hamadeh requested that the FDA provide answers by September 5, 2025, to the following questions:

  • What specific actions, if any, is the FDA taking regarding desiccated thyroid medications like Armour Thyroid?
  • What evidence supports any potential restrictions on these long-established medications that have been safely used for decades?
  • Has the FDA conducted a comprehensive analysis of how any restrictions would affect patients who rely on these medications?
  • If restrictions are being considered, what steps will the FDA take to ensure patients maintain access to effective thyroid treatment options?

Congressman Hamadeh continued to state, “This issue reflects broader concerns about federal agency overreach into medical decisions that should remain between patients and their physicians. The FDA’s primary mission should be ensuring drug safety and efficacy, not unnecessarily restricting access to medications with established track records of safety and effectiveness.”

Dr. Makary has already responded to the backlash and public concerns via X (Twitter), stating that the “FDA is committed to pursuing the first-ever approval of desiccated thyroid extract, pending results of the ongoing clinical trials. In the meantime, we will ensure access for all Americans.”

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.